Bail-tie



I C. F. HEPLER.-

RAIL TIE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1, 19:5.

Patentd Nov. 25, 1916.

INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY G. F. HEPLEH.

-RAIL TIE.

' PPLIC Tl Fl h v 1,205,992. A LED Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY CARMON F. HEPLER, F PHILLIPSTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

BAIL-TIE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 191

Application filed December 1, 1915. Serial No. 84,567. i d

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARMoN F. Harman, a citizen of the United, States,'res1d1ng at Phillipston, in the county ofvClarion and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-1 ies,

of which the following is a specification.

My present invention has relation to certain new-and useful improvements in rail ties and more specifically comprehends novel means to effectually clamp the rail thereon; and as its primary object, it contemplates the provision of a device of this nature that includes means to yieldingly hold'the rail in position, retain the same rigid against a downward pressure and, at the same time, permit slight rebound and lateral give of the rail during and after the passing of roiling stock thereover. 4 i

Another object of my invention is to provide means to effectually adjust the tension of the clamping means so as to provide for the proper securing of the rail, at all times,

and especially after the base flange thereof has become worn to some extent.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of tie body designed to accommodate the aforesaid clamping means and tensioning device and at the sametime efiiciently support the respective rail and eliminate any downward movement thereof.

the following specification and then more.

claims In the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing the same as in its prespecifically pointed out in the appended ferred embodiment and properly associated with an ordinary rail; Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section illustrating more clearly the method ofclamping the rails to the tie;

-Fig. 3 is a'view in horizontal section illustrating the disposition of the clamping member; Fig. 4 is a view in detail showing the means forretaining the fastening mem-' her in certain adjusted positions; and Fig.

5 is a view in detail of the means toadjust the tensioning member. 7

In reducing my invention to practice, I

first provide a tie body 10 that is preferably constructed to be substantially U- shaped when viewed in section and formed of metal or alikematerial. Intermediate its ends, the body 10 is provided with oppo-.

sitely projecting chair portions 11 and 12 respectively, upon which the rail 13 is adapted to rest, such as shown in Fig. 1. Al-

Fig. 1 soas to decrease the cost of manufacture. Adjacent its respective ends, the body 10 is provided with detachable covering plates 14 and 15 respectively, whose openings 16 receive base studs 17 ofthe body member inthe manner indicated in Fig. 1.

The inner ends of'th'e covering plates 14 and 15 normally bear against suitable transverse stopping members 18 and 19 between which 19 be spaced apart a distance materially greater than the width of the base flange of the rail soas to not only accommodate suitable clamping members such as will be subsequently pointed out, but to permit a slight lateral give ofthe rail and the clamping members as before stated. This function, however, will be hereinafter'described at length.

' In order to secure the covering plates 14 and 15 in place prior to the operation of the positive locking means, I may provide the body member 10 with suitable retaining members 20, preferably in the form of springs, having one end fixed to the body as at 21 and their other and bent as at 22 to engage with the' respective plates. This construction enables the operator to properly position the cover plates on the body member and retain the same against dislodgment prior to the manipulation of the positive locking means. Furthermore, it will be though not essential to the eflicient operav the rail 13 normally seats. It is contem plated that the stopping .members 18 and pressure subjected thereon at certain times seen that by properly applying the retaining members the plates may be quicl ly and easily removed from such locked pos1t1on.

With a view of providing suitable fastening means for the rails I employ sub stantially U-shaped members 23 and 24 respectively whose bridge or ntermediate portion 25 isreceived in suitable notches 26 of a connecting bar 27. At their upper ends the arms of the respective clamping members are bent to form ears 28 which may be brought into secure binding engagement with the base flange of the rail 1n the manner shown in Fig. 2. Upon reference to Fig.

2, it will be noted that the connecting barz27 has its upper face beveled as at 29' from a central point toward'its ends. The function of this beveled portion will be subsequently pointed out. The clamping members just referred to, as'well as the connecting bar 27 may also be formed of metal so as to be capableof withstanding the terrific and to insure efiicient clamping of the rails.

Adjacent opposite ends, the side members 30 of the tie are provided with vertically disposed ribs 31 and 32 respectively, whose 1nner face is provided with a series of ratchet teeth 33 such as clearly shown in Fig. 4, O posite the ribs 31 and 32 respectively, the

si e member-s30 are provided with spaced guiding members 34 and 35. Although not essential to the invention, it is pointed out,

that the ribs 31, and 32 as well as the respective guiding members 34 and 35 may be cast integral with the body of the tie so as to decrease. cost of manufacture.

A tensioning member 36 is arranged to extend between the respective arms of the clamping members 24 and engage with the connecting bar 27 in the manner clearly 4 ing members such as shown in Fig. 4, the ref spectiveend of the tensioning member 36 will be properly engaged with the ratchet teeth 33 of the ribs and thus held in a secure position. It is contemplated that one end of the tensioning member be fastened in this manner, that is, through the manual operation thereof, while provision is made to effectuallv adjust the other end thereof so as to complete the desired pressure on the connecting bar 27. To this end, I provide the side members 30 of the tie body with Therefore, after the respective end of'the tensioning member has been depressed to the desired extent, a wedging key such as shown at 39 may be engaged with the respective guiding members so as to force the tension.-

ing member into seating engagement with a certain'one of the ratchet teeth 33 of the ribs. Consequently, it will be noted that the member 36 will be securely retained in a tensioned position and likewise retain the respective clamping members 2% in binding engagement with the rail.

Upon reference to Fig. 2, it will be noted that when the member 36 isdrawn into a tensioned position a spring action will be generated between the under enlarged face oftiie member 36 and the beveled face 29 of the connecting bar. This not only serves to permit slight vertical movement of the rail after the passage of rolling stock thereover but also permits a slight lateral give thereof, which, is believed to be also highly desirable.

Any number of the ratchet teeth 33 may be provided throughout the longitudinal ex tent of the ribs 31 and 32 which will permit the adjustment of the tensioning member to any desired extent. therefore, that should the tensioning members become weakened at any time they may be bent to agreater degree and thus notin any way lessen the efficienc of the device.

lVhile in the present embodiment, I have shown my invention in connection with only one rail, it is to be fully understood that the body portion 10 may be constructed ofany length to support both of the rails. This, however, is immaterial and further detail description is deemed unnecessary.

In reducing my invention to practice I find that the form referred to herein as the most practical and preferred embodiment is the most efiicient, but realizing that certain conditions will necessarily vary in concur rence with the adoption of my device, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in the details of construction and in the proportion of parts may be resorted to when required without sacrificing an of the advantages of my invention as de ned in the appended claims.-

Having thus fully described my invention,

It .is pointed out,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described, a. rail tie, rail clamping means associated therewith, a tensioning member cooperating with said supporting means,-a tensioning member cooperating with said clamping means, means to lock one end of said, tensioning member with respect to said supporting means, means to adjust the other end of said tensioning memberwhereby the tension on said clamping means may be varied,-and means to lock the last mentloned end of said tensioning member in certain adjusted positions, as and for the purpose specified. I

3. In a device of the character described, a rail tie including rail supporting means, rail clamping means associated therewith, a tensioning member cooperating'with said rail clamping means, means to lock one end of said tensioning member with respect to said supporting means, means to adjust the other end of said member whereby the tension on said clamping means may be varied. means to shift the last mentioned end of said tensioning member laterally, and means to lock the last mentioned end of said tensioning member in certain adjusted positions, as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a device of the character described, rail supporting means, clamping means assooiated therewith, a tensioning member coiiperating with said clamping means,

means to lock one end of said tensioning memher with respect to said supporting means, means to adjust the other-end of said tensioning member whereby the tension on said clamping means may be varied, a wedge to shift the last mentioned end of said tensioning member laterally, and means carried by said supporting means to locksaid last mentioned end of said tensioning member in certain adjusted positions, as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a device of the character described, rail supporting means, rail clamping means movably associated-therewith, a tensioning member cooperating with said clamping means, means'to shift one end of said tensioning member laterally, means adjacent that end of said member to lock the same stationary with respect tosaid supporting means, means to adjust the other end of said tensioning member whereby the tension on saidclamping means may be varied, means to shift the last mentioned end of said tensioning member, and means carried by said supporting means to lock said last mentioned endof said tensioning member in certain adjusted position, as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a device of the character described, a rail tie, rail clamping means movably associated therewith, a tensioning member coiiperatin'g with said clamping means and disposed longitudinally within said rail tie, means to ad ust the ends of said tensioning member vertically to vary the tension on said clamping means, and means to retain the ends of said tensioning member at certain adjusted positions.

7. In a device of the character described, a rail tie hollow throughout a portion of its length, rail clamping means movably associated therewith, a tensioning member coiipcrating with said clamping means, said tenguide means positioned opposite said ratchet sioning member being disposed longitudibars, the end portions of said tensioning member'being disposed between said ratchet bars and said guide means, means to adjust the end portions of said tensioning member to vary the tension on said clamping means, and wedge members operable in said guide means to shift said tensioning member into engagement with said ratchet bars to retain the same in certain adjusted positions, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiixmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

CARMON F. HEPLER. Witnesses:

M. E. Jones, J. REAMY KELLEY. 

